2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
James 3:3-6 NKJV
3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
Understanding Man and Vertical Alignment
Three-Fold Man
- Spirit
- Soul (mind, will, emotions)
- Body
The tongue can be a tool of my spirit or of my soul and what comes out of the mouth is what is in the heart (spirit) of the man.
Proverbs 4:23 KJV Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Matthew 15:18 MEV But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile the man.
The five physical senses of the body give information to the mind, but the mind is responsible for translating that information appropriately (according to our values).
Romans 7:23 MEV but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Refreshing and renewing my mind daily with the Word of God helps ensure my values are in line with God.
Romans 12:2 MEV Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Vertical Alignment
- God
- Spouse
- Children
- Spirit
- Soul
- Body
Matthew 6:33 MEV But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you.
Romans 8:5-8 NASB
5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
1 Corinthians 2:11-12 MEV
11 For what man knows the things of a man, except the spirit of man which is in him? Likewise, no one knows the things of God, except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, so that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God.
Matthew 19:6 MEV So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”
2 Corinthians 5:16-19 MEV
16 So from now on we do not regard anyone according to the flesh. Yes, though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet we do not regard Him as such from now on. 17 Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new. 18 All this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them, and has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
1 Corinthians 6:17,19-20 NASB
17 But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
The Word as Seed Sown
Luke 6:45 NASB The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.
Genesis 8:22 MEV While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.”
Galatians 6:7-10 MEV
7 Be not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who are of the household of faith.